Box-making machine.



B. CREBBIN.

BOX MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATIQN FILED ARR, 1. 1905.

1,123,250I Patented JaIL, 1915.

4 SHEETS-'SHEET l.

Witnesses Invntor m W@ by Attorneys B. GREBBIN. BOX MAKING MAHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.1, 1905.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

llllllillllllllllllll lL' Witnesses Witnesses4 a@ f f B. CREBBIN.

BOX MAKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED' APR. I, 1905.

1,123,250, Patented Jan.5, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Inventor by f I,

Attorneys B. GREBBIN. BOX MAKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR.1, 1905.

1,123,250. Y Patented Jan.5,1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

gai Inventor, f by o Y* Attorneys E UNITED sTATns rATENT onirica.

CBEBBIN, F BRIDGEPORT, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE' ASSIGNMENTS, T0

" SABANAC MACHINE COMPANY, OF ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OFMICHIGAN.

Box-MAKING MACHINE.

Application led April 1, 1905. Serial No. 253,291.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, BERT CREBBIN, a citi-` or boxes, the apparatus beingso constructed that the strips` of material or body members andbattensnecessary for the formation of the article willbe automaticallyre.

moved from suitable reservoirs or hoppers and properly assembled andpresented to a stapling vor yWire stitching' mechanism, the

. latter operating to securev the members together to form the finishedarticle.

A further object of the. invention is Ato provide improvedA means-'forinsuring the placing of the strips in proper position wlth.

respect toeachother to. form articles ofuniform character, and a stillfurther obJectfis to provide a machine in which the operation of theparts will be automatic throughout,'it being nierelynecessary to'keepthereservoirs or hoppers supplied with body members and battens oftheproper size and shape.

Withthese and other'. objects in viewtasA will more fully hereinafterappear, the 1n vention consists in certain novel features ofconstruction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and partielllarly pointed outin the appendedclaims, it various .changes 1n the form, proportions,size and minor details of the structure may be made without departinfrom the spirit, or sacrificing any of the a vantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings z-Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view ofa box mak ing machine construction in accordance with the. invention.Fig.

elevation of` he machine partly in section. Fig. 4 is a sectionalelevation of the machine on anenlarged scale,` on the line 4.-'-4 ofFig.V 1.- Fig. 5 is a detail ,perspective view of a portion of one ofthestrip" feeding of the crate sides united.

devices. Fig. 6 is a perspective view 4`of one' Similar numeralsofreference are em-l Specicatbn of Letters Patent.

2 is a plan view of the 'samepartly .in section. Fig. .3 is an end'Patented Jan. 5, 19.15.

ployed to indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several figures ofthe drawings.

The Working parts of the apparatus are supported on a suitable framethat is provided with bearings for the reception of a main driving shaft11, from which motion is'imparted to the strip carrying and staphngmechanisms. l

The frame supports a` horizontally disosed bed or table 12 having aplurality of, ongitudmally disposed parallel grooves 13, 14, 15 16 `and17, in which are arranged traveling devices or link belts 18, 19, 20,21, and 22, respectively, these belts serving as means for carrying theseveral body members and battens from .their containing reservoirs orhoppers to the stapling or other securlng means, and for delivering thefinished article from the machine.

The two chains19 and 21 pass over sprocket .wheels secured .to shafts 23and 23L arranged, respectively, in bearings at the opposite ends of themachine, and to the shaft 23 issecured a ratchet wheel 24 with whichengages a spring pressed pawl^25 carried by an arm 26 that is fulcrumedon the shaft. One end of the arm 26 is connected by ajrod 27'to thestrap of an eccentric 28 that is secured to the main shaft 1 1, and ateach rotation of the latter, the ratchet wheel "is turned to the extentof one, two, or more teeth, in accordance with the feed .'desired.,

AThese chains are provided with upwardly projecting .teeth or lugs 30,spaced at equidistant intervals and serving tofengage and carry thelongitudinal strips w along the bed or table 12.

At va point near the shaft 23", the frame is provided with supports fora reservoir or hopper 34 extending transversely of the machine andformed of sheet metal orv structural iron. This reservoir. or hopper Yreceives the strips which in practice form` the body members orlongitudinal strips. of

the crate side, as 'shown in Fig. 6, thevstrips beingvplaced onel on topof the other, and the lowermost -strip resting on the -bed or .tahle,sothat a-teach intermittent forward movement of the chains, one setAofteeth 30 willengage lwith and remove the lowermostv strip, allowingthe next stripto fall against the table to bein turn moved along thetable bythe Afollowing set of teeth. The operation-of this portion ofthe mechanism ilo . be apparent on reference to Fig. 1, wherein theteeth 30 are shown as engaging and carrying a plurality ofstrips'arranged at equi-distant intervals. Y

rl`he link belts 18, and 22 pass` over sprocket wheels, one set of whichis secured to the shaft 23, and the opposite set to a shaft 36that isdisposed to the rear of a plurality of reservoirs 37, all of the sameconstruction and supported by suitable transverse bars 38 carried by theframe of the machine. These reservoirs br hoppers, three in number inthe present instance, serve to receive the transverse strips or battensy, shown in F ig. 6, and the reservoirs are of substantially the sameconstruction as the reservoir 34. The strips or battens 1/ placed vinthe reservoirs 37 are piled one on top of the other, and the lowermoststrip of each reservoir rests on the previously fed longitudinal stripsthat are carried by the teeth 30, as will be apparent on reference toFig. 1. The link belts 18, 2O and 22 are provided with teeth 39 arrangedat regular intervals, and` these teeth are extended laterally from thebelts and serve to engage the lowermost strips of the reservoirs 37 andfeed the same uniformly with the transverse strips a2 toward thestapling end of the machine, so that when presented' at the latterpoint, the strips w will be supported by the table and the transversestrips y will rest upon the strips w.

The side members of the frame at the front of the machine are providedwith` vertical guiding slots for the reception of the projecting ends ofa vertically movable' bar 40,l and said projecting ends are providedwith trunnions or studs 41 to which are connected the upper ends ofoperating rods 42, the lower end of each rod being connected toa strapvcarried by an eccentric 43 that isv mounted on the main shaft 11. -Thebar 40 carries suitable staple drivers 44 which pass through guidesformed in the rigid frame, these staple drivers being of any ordinaryconstruction.

In order to upset or clench the ends of the staples, anvils 45 in theform of adjusting studs are arranged on a vertically movable cross bar46 that is carried by a pair ofv vertically disposed rods 47 arrangedwithin the side frames of the machine, the lower ends of said rods beingprovided with pins or anti-friction rollers 48 that are en'- `gaged bycams'49 mounted on the main driving shaft A11, the movement of the camsbeing so timed that after a staple has beenforced through the strips,the anvils will be moved quickly upward, striking hammer like blowswhich will bend'the ends of the staples and force them into the wood.

In the operation of the machine, the' chains are fed intermittently, andthe strips 'ai are disposed at equi-distant intervals continuouslythroughoutthe length of the machine. The length of the strips y is suchthat they will extend over a number of the strips three in the presentinstance, or the number may be increased or diminished in accordancewith the character of the article being made, four being used in thearticle shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

For the broader purposes of my invention, I do not limit myself to anyparticular use for the different features and combinations thereof,inasmuch as it is obvious that v the same can be usedV for theproduction of various kinds of box or crate blanks. As shown anddescribed, there are a plurality of sets of- 4feed chains, and on thesechains there are means for engaging the edges o f the sheet material, aswell as means for engaging rear ends of certain of the materials.

The portions which engage the edges of the sheet material are inv oneplane, and the portions'which engage rear ends of certain of t thematerials are in a different plane, but the two planes are parallel, andare preferably horizontal, although the exact position of the machinevis immaterial, so far as the broader aspects of my invention areconcerned. As the sets of feed chains are 'of y different lengths, itfollows thatin a machine einbodyingthe principles ofmy invention one setof feed chains has movement relative to another set of chains, but theymove in unison where the blank is-passing under the Staplers. Also, andwhile these feed chains are carrying the sheet material forward,parallel binding members, for eX- ample the strips y, are automaticallyfed on,

to the sheet material, in exact alinement vwith the Staplers', wherebythe different sections of sheet material are connected together to forma singleblank, Again, and with the illustrative .construction shownianddescribed, the machine has both inner and outer lateral engagement with'certain of thematerials which travel ,'endwise operation of themachine, and it is byreasonduriiqig the o f this lateral engagement thatthe mater1als so engaged are caused to have proper relative positionswhen the blank is finished.

As shown, the hoppers provide this innery and outer lateralengagement-with the side' edges of the members y of the blank, therebydetermining the distance between these materials of the blank; but I donot limit myself toany particular means for 'accomplishing'thispositioning or spacing of the materials, nor to any particular time for`so doing, the only requisite being that some provision 'be made' forinsuring the endwise travel of certain parts of thel blank alongparallel paths extending directly in line with and below the staplerheads. There-l fore, and as explained, yand in addition. to theengagement ofcertain portions of the link belt feed mechanism with theedges of the sheetmaterial, and the engagement Aof -certainvotherportions with rear ends 'of certain elements of each blank, there is afurther provision of means for automatically feeding parallel bindingmembers on to the forward traveling sheet material, as well as theprovision for effecting lateral engagement with some of the'materials ata suitable time during the operation, whereby `ed in properly spaced andcrossed relation.

f2.. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a frame, of a. table, a

transverselyk extending strip-conta ining reservoir havingan openbottom, endless belts having teeth for engaging the successivelylowermost strips and moving the same in spaced relation on thev table, aplurality of longitudinally disposed, reservoirs carried by the Jframeand having their lower ends open to permit the feeding of strips on topof the previously fed transverse strips, feeding chains for engagingsaid longitudinally disposed strips, and a securing means to which thestrips are presented at the completion of each feeding movement. Y

3.' An assembler for automatically assembling the members of a side ortop of a package, comprising spaced hoppers, one for containing the bodymembers of the package and the other for containing the battens, andtraveling devices, carried on as many link-belts as there are battens,passing underneath the hoppcrsI for removing successively the membersfrom the hoppers for superimposing the battens on the body members.

4. In a machine of the class described, the' combination with anintermittently operable feeding'means comprising a plurality of separateor structurally distinct and endless link belts, of different lengths,of a plurality of strip-containing reservoirs, of

which one is disposed at a right angle to' the others, devices on eachofv said belts for removing strips from the reservoirs, and maintainingthe same in properly spaced relation, and an intermittently operablesecuring mechanism movable at the completion of each step of the feedingoperation.

In a machine of the class described, the Y combination with step by stepytraveling feeding devices,pcomprising a `plurality of separate orstructurally distinct and endless ilink belts, of diferent lengths,`ofstrip containing reservoirs from which strips are fed inv crossed andspaced relation, the shorter `of said link belts being used for feedingthe shorter of said strips, and means operable at 'the completion ofeach feeding movement to actuate said stapling mechanism for forcingsecuring staples `through the strips.

6. The improved crate-side machine, provided with a plurality ofSlat-delivering hoppers spaced apart and positioned to feed a pluralityof parallel strips cross-wise of a plurality of parallel members, and aplurality of separate and unconnected link belts, of different lengths,for removing the strips and members from the said hoppers, substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a machine of the class specified, the

`combination of a traveling Work-holder,

hoppers for the cross slats of a crate-side,

.means on the work-holder vfor spacing apart the long slats upon whichthe said cross slats are laid, means on the Workholder for engaging andremoving the cross-slats from lthe hoppers, and means for intermittentlyadvancing said work holder to intermittently feed the slats from saidhoppers, said Work-holder comprising -as many link-belts as there arecross slats.

8. In a machine of the class described, adapted for making crate sides,the combination of a work-supporting structure comprising more than twotravelin link-belts, of different lengths, provide with means forholding a plurality of parallel slats with a plurality ofpar-- allelcross slats superimposed thereon, hoppers for containing and feeding thecross slats of each crate side, and means for producing relativetravelin movement between the, said Work holding structure and the saidhoppers, to produce the said automatic feedin of slats for each crateside, said work-ho ding structure being provided with means for engagingthe ends of the cross slats and causing a proper discharge thereof fromsaid hoppcrs.

9. A box or crate blank machine comprising a gang of Staplers,instrumentalities for successively presenting to said Staplers a'plurality of separate sheets included with other materials ina singleblank, and for spacing said sheets apart, means for sup plying parallelbinding members upon said sheets, to be secured thereto by saidStaplers, for connecting the sheets together in spaced relation, saidinstrumentalities including a plurality of sets of parallel link belts`the members of each set operating in unison, and the different sets eachhaving positionmg portions for engaging only certain elements of theblank, ratchet devices forcausing all of said Sets of link belts tohave'a step by step forward feeding motion in unison, to feed theblankmaterials to said Staplers, and means for operating said Staplersand ratchet devices, Some of said portions engaging edges of the sheets,thereby Spacing the sheets apart, and other said portions engaging endsof said materials, said edge engaging portions being all in one plane,and said end engaging portions being all in a different plane.

10. A box or crate blank machine comprising a gang of Staplers,instrumentalities for successively presenting to said Staplers aplurality of separate sheets included with other materials iny a singleblank, and for spacing said sheets apart, means for supplying parallelbinding members upon said sheets, to be secured thereto bysaid Staplers,

for connecting the sheets together in spaced relation, saidinstrumentalities including a plurality of sets of parallel link belts,the members of each set operating in unison, and the dillerent sets eachhaving positioning portions for" engaging only certain elements oftheblanks, ratchet devices for causing all of said Sets of link belts tohave 'a step by stepl forward feeding motion in unison, to feed theblank materials to Said Staplers, means for operating Said Staplers andratchet devices, some of Said portions engaging edges of the sheets,thereby spacspacingsaid sheets apart, means for Supplying parallelbinding members upon said sheets, to be secured thereto by saidStaplers, for connecting the Sheets together in spaced relation, Saidinstrumentalities including a plurality of sets of parallel link belts,the members of each Set operating in unison, and the `different Setseach having positioning portions for engagingonly certain elements ofthe blank, ratchet devices for causing all of said sets of link belts tohave a step by step forward feeding motion in unison, to feed the blankmaterials to Said Staplers, and means for operating said staplers andratchet devices, some of said portions engaging edges of the sheets,thereby spacing the sheets apart, and other said portions engaging endsof said materials, Said edge engaging portions being all in one plane,said end engaging portions being all in a dierent plane, said link beltsbeing all disposed in another plane, and said planes being all paralleland one above the other.-

a .plurality of separate sheets included with other. materials in asingle blank, and for spacing: said sheets apart, means for supplyingp'arallel binding members upon said sheets, to be secured thereto bySaid Staplers, for connecting the Sheets together in spaced relation,said instrumentalities including a. plurality of separate and parallellink belts, each having portions for engaging edges of said Sheets inone plane and other portions i for engaging endsof said materials in adifferent plane, all said portions secured directly to Said link belts,said planes being parallel, ratchet devices for causing said belts tohave a step bystep forward feeding motion in unison, to feed the blankmaterials to said Staplers, and means `for operating said Staplers andratchet devices.

13. A boX or crate blank machine comprising a gang of Staplers,instrumentalities for successively presenting to Said Staplers aplurality of separate sheets included with other materials in a singleblank, and for spacing said Sheets apart, means for-Supplying parallelbinding members 'upon said Sheets, to be secured thereto by saidStaplers, for connecting the sheets together in spaced relation, saidinstrumentalities including a plurality of separate and parallel linkbelts,

each having portions for engaging edges of said sheets in one plane andotherportions for engaging ends of saidmate-rials in a different plane,`all Said portions secured directly to said link belts, Said planesbeing parallel, ratchet devices Vfor causingk said belts to have a stepby step forward feeding motion in unison, t0 feed the blank materials tosaid- Staplers, means for operating said Staplers and ratchet devices,said link belts being disposed out of line with said Staplers, andstationary means for supporting the blank materials during the staplingopera.- tion.

14. A box or crate blank machine comprising a gang of Staplers,instrumentalities for successively presenting to Said Staplers aplurality of separate sheets included withI other materials in a singleblank, and for spacing Said sheets apart, means for supplying parallelbinding members upon said sheets, to be secured thereto by saidStaplers, for connecting the sheets together in spaced relation, saidinstrumentalities including a plurality of Separate and parallel linkbelts,

i madam Y 5 -for successively presenting to said Staplers a plurality ofseparate sheets included with other materials -in a single blank, andfor spacing said sheets apart, means for supplying parallel bindingmembers upon said sheets, to be secured thereto by Said Staplers, forconnecting the sheets together in spaced relation, saidinstrumentalities including positioning portions for engaging edges ofsaid sheets and positioning portions for enl gaging ends of saidmaterials, said edge engaging portions being in one plane, and said endengaging portions being in a different plane, the two planes beingparallel, ratchet devices, means coperating therewith toY cause the Saidportions and materials to have an intermittent motion, thereby to feedthe materials to said Staplers, means whereby the said portions of onekind reverse their movement and begin to move forward at a greaterdistance from the Staplers than the t other kind, and means foroperating said Staplers and ratchet devices.

16. A box or crate blank machine comprising a gang of Staplers,instrumentalities for successively presenting to said Staplers aplurality of separate sheets included with other materials in a singleblank, Vand for spacing Saidrsheets apart, means for supplying parallelbinding members upon said sheets, to be secured thereto by saidStaplers,

for connecting the sheets together in spaced relation, saidinstrumentalities including positioning portions for engaging edges ofSaid sheets and positioning portions for engaging ends of saidmaterials, said edge engaging portions being in one plane, and said endengaging portions -being in a different plane, the two planes beingparallel, ratchet devices, means coperating therewith t0 cause ,the saidportions and materials to have an intermittent motion, thereby to feedthe materials to said Staplers, and means for operating said Staplersand ratchet devices, said planes being disposed one above the other, andthe edge engaging portions having movement relative to and differentfrom that of said end engaging portions.

17. A boX or crate blank machine comprising a gang of Staplers,instrumentalitiesfOr successively presenting to said Staplers aplurality of Separatesheets included with other materials in a singleblank, and for Spacing said sheets apart, means for sup,-

end engaging portions being in a different plane, the two planes beingparallel, ratchet devices, means coperating therewith to cause the saidportions and materials tohave an intermittent motion, thereby to feed'thev materials to said Staplers, and means for operating said Staplersand ratchet devices, said edge engaging portions being structurallydistinct from said end engaging portions, being separately supportedindependently thereof, and having movements relative thereto.

18. A box or crate blank Imachine comprising a gang of Staplers,instrumentalities for successively presenting to said Staplers aplurality of separate sheets included with other materials in a singleblank, and for spacing said sheets apart, means for supplying parallelbinding members upon Said sheets, to. be secured thereto by SaidStaplers, for connecting the Sheets together in spaced relation, saidinstrumentalities including a plurality of sets of parallel link belts,the members of each set operating in unison, and the different Sets eachhaving positioning portions for engaging only certain elements of theblank, ratchet devices for causing all of Said Sets of link belts tohave a step by step forward feeding motion in unison, to feed the blankmaterialsvto said Staplers, and means`for operating l said staplersandratchet devices, some of Sald portions engaging edges of the sheets,thereby spacing the sheets apart, and other Said portionsengaging endsof said materials, said edge engaging portions being all in one plane,and Said end engaging portions being all in a different plane, saidmeans for Supplying the binding members being subject to theintermittent action of said ratchet devices, and having guidingprovisions for feeding Said members on to the sheets in exact alinementwith the Staplers. y

19. A box or crate blank machine comprising a gang of Staplers,instrumentalities for successively presenting to said Staplers aplurality ofl separate sheets included with other materials in a singleblank, and for spacing Said sheets apart, means for supplying parallelbinding members upon said sheets, to be secured thereto by saidStaplers, for connecting the Sheets together in spaced relation, saidinstrumenfor engaging edges of Said Sheets in one plane and otherportions for engaging ends of Said materials in a different planepallsaid portions secured directly to Said link belts, Said planes beingparallel, ratchet de` vices for causing Said belts to have a Stepby-step forward feeding motion in unison, to feed lthe blank materialsto Said Staplers, and means for operating Said Staplers and ratchetdevices, Said means for Supplying the binding members being subject tothe intermittent action of said ratchet devices, and having guidingprovisions for feeding said members on to the sheets in exact alinementwith the Staplers.

v20.l A box or crate blank machine com prising a'gang of Staplers,instrumentalities for successively presenting to said Staplers aplurality of'separate Sheets included with other materials in a Singleblank, and for spacing Said Sheets apart, means for Supplying parallelbinding members upon Said sheets, to be Secured thereto by SaidStaplers, for connecting the Sheets together in spaced relation, Saidinstrumentalities including positioning portionsfor engaging edges ofsaid Sheets and positioning portions for engaging ends of Saidmaterials, said edge engaging portions being in one plane, and said endengaging portions being in a different plane, the two planes beingparallel, ratchet devices. means coperating therewith to cause the saidportions and materials to have an intermittent motion, thereby to feedthe materials to said Staplers, means whereby the said portions of onekind reverse their movement and begin to move forward at a greaterdistance from the Staplers than the other kind, and means foroperatingsaid Staplers and ratchet devices, said means for supplyingthebinding members being subject to the intermittent action of saidratchet devices, and having guiding provisions for feeding said memberson to the sheets in exact alinement with the Staplers.

21. A box or crate blank machine comprising a gang of Staplers,instrumentalities for successively presenting to'said Staplers aplurality of separate Sheetsy included with other materials in a Singleblank, and for spacing said Sheets apart, means for Supplying parallelbinding members upon said sheets, to be secured thereto by saidStaplers, for connecting the sheets together in spaced relation, saidinstrumentalities including a plurality of Sets of parallel link belts,the members of each Set operating in unison, and the dii'erent Sets eachhaving positioning portions for engaging only certain elements of theblank, ratchet devices for causing all of said Sets of link belts tohave a step by step forward feeding motion in unison, to feed the blankmaterials to'sai'd Staplers, and means for operating said Staplersandratchet devices, Some of said chine having inner and outer lateralengagement with some of said materials to insure exact alinement'of Saidends in parallel paths of travel which are in line with said Staplers.

22. A box or crate blank machine comprising a gang of Staplers,instrumentalities for successively presenting to Said Staplers .aplurality of separate Sheets included with other materials in a Singleblank, and for Spacing Said Sheets apart, means for supplying parallelbinding members upon Said sheets, to be secured thereto by SaidStaplers, for connecting the Sheets together in spaced relation, Saidinstrumentalities including a plurality of Separate and parallel linkbelts,

vao

each having portions for engaging edges of said Sheets inone plane andother. portions for engaging ends of Said materials in a differentplane, all Said portions Secured directly to said link belts, saidplanes being parallel, ratchet devices for causing said belts to have astep by step forward feed-y ing motion in unison, to feed the blankmaterials to Said Staplers, and means for erating Said Staplers andratchet devices, Said machine having inner and outer lateral engagementwith Some of said materials to insure exact alinement of said ends inpaths of travel which are in line with said Staplers.

23. A box or crate blank machine com-` prising a gang of Staplers,instrumentalities for successivelv presenting to said Staplers a.plurality of Separate sheets included with other materials in a Singleblank, and for Spacing said sheets apart, means for supplying parallelbinding members upon Said Sheets, to be secured thereto by saidStaplers, for connecting the ASheets together in spaced relation, Saidinstrumentalities including positioning portions for engaging edges ofSaid Sheets and positioning portions for engagingends ofsaid materiais,said edge engaging portions being in one plane, and said end engagingportions being in a diiierent devices, means coperating therewith tocausev the Said portions and mateziais to have an intermittent motion,thereby to feed the materials to Said Staplers, means Whereby the saidportions Aof one kind reverse their movement and begin te mcve forwardat a greater distance from the Staplers than the other kind, and meansfor operating Said Staplers and ratchet devices, vthe Said machinehaving inner and outer'laterai en plane, the two planes being parallel,ratchet i gagement with Some of Said materials to insure exact alinementof said ends in paths of travel which are in line with said Staplers.

24. A box u' crate blank machine comprising a gang of Staplers,instrumentalities for successively presenting to Said Staplers aplurality of Separate sheets included with other materials in a Singleblank, and for Spacing Said Sheets apart, means for supplying parallelbinding members upon said sheets, to be Secured thereto by saidStaplers, for connecting the Sheets together in spaced relation,saidinstrumentalities including a plurality of sets of parallel link belts,the members of each set operating in unison, and the diderent sets .eachhaving positioning portions for engaging only certain elements or theblank,- ratchet devices for causingall of said sets oflink belts to havea Step' .by step forward feeding motion in unisonniV to eed the blankYmaterials to said lStaplers, means for operating said Staplers andratchet devices, some or' -said portions engaging .edges of the sheets,thereby spacing theshe'ets apart, andother said portions engaging endscic said materials, said edge engaging portions being all in one plane,and said end engaging portions being all in a diderent plane, andmeansfrom which Said Sheets are successively and automatically :ted intoadvancing position by said edge engaging portions, coperating withv Saidmember supplying means to assemble the materials in properly spaced andcrossed relation, with said ends in proper relation to the sheet edges.v

25. e. box or crate blank machine comprising a gang of Staplers,instrumentaljties for successively presenting to Said staplers aplurality of separate sheets included with other materials in a Singleblank, and for spacing said sheets apart, means for supplying parallelbinding members upon said sheets, to be secured thereto bysaid Staplers,for connecting the Sheets together in spaced relation, saidinstrumentalities including a plurality of separate and parallellinkbelts, each having portions for engaging edges of said sheets in oneplane and other portions for engaging ends of said materials in adilierent plane, all said portions secured directly to said link belts,said planes being parallel, ratchet devices for causing Said belts tohave a Step by step forward feeding motion in unison, to feed the blankmaterials to said Staplers, means for operating said Staplers andratchet devices, and means vfrom which said sheets are successively andautomatically ed into advancing position by said edge engaging portions,coperating with said member supplying means to assemble the materials inproperly spaced and crossed relation, with said ends in proper relationto the sheet edges.

26. A box or crate blank machine comprising a gang of Staplers,instrumentalities for successively presenting to Said Staplers aplurality of Separate sheets included with other materials ina singleblank, and for spacing said sheets apart, means for supplying parallelbinding members upon said sheets, to be secured thereto by saidStaplers, for connecting the sheets together in spaced relation, saidinstrumentalities including positioning portions for engaging edges ofsaid sheets and positioning portions for engaging ends of saidmaterials, said edge engaging portions being in one plane, and said endengaging portions being in adiderent plane, the two planes beingparallel, ratchet` devices, means coperating therewith to cause the saidportions and materials to have an intermittent motion, thereby to feedthe materials to said Staplers, means whereby the said portions of onekind reverse their movement and begin to' move forward at a greaterdistance from the Staplers than the other kind, means for operating saidStaplers and ratchet devices, and means from which said sheets aresuccessively and automatically fed into advancing position by said edgeengaging portions, coperating with said member supplying means toassemble the materials in properly spaced and crossed relation, withsaid ends in proper relationto the sheet edges.

ln testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own, l have hereto aliixedmy signature in, the presence vof two witnesses.

I BERT CREBBlN. -Witnessesz y J. ld. Woon', Y

H. SIMPSON.

